47: Interrogation (Thank you for your recommendation and monthly tickets)

Godwin proactively took over the interrogation.

After a thorough beating, the Doppelgangers was covered in red welts and bruises.

Just as the Family Knight said, his two subordinates were indeed well-versed in the art of interrogation.

Each punch was delivered with precise force, and despite the beating, not a single drop of blood was shed.

However, Arthur knew in his heart that this bloodless torture was far more painful than open wounds.

The exiled noble walked up to the Doppelgangers, squatted down, and met his gaze.

"Damn it! Stop hitting me, I'll talk, I'll tell you all the truth, don't you..."

The Doppelgangers shrieked, a hint of anger in his voice.

Godwin raised a hand, signaling him to be quiet.

He stared at the other party's face for a moment, then calmly uttered a single word: "Speak."

"What? Shouldn't you ask... ask me something?"

Godwin didn't respond; he stood up and walked towards the tool rack nearby, beginning to carefully select something.

"You said you'd tell us all the truth, so, speak."

"No... no," the Doppelgangers seemed at a loss.

Godwin picked up a hammer—yes, a hammer, handy and effective—turned around, and gestured to the two soldiers to come forward.

The two soldiers immediately stepped forward and held down the Doppelgangers.

As if realizing what was about to happen, the Doppelgangers struggled and twisted, shouting, "It's those Orcs, it's those Orc raiders.

"They told me to infiltrate your group, to gather information, so they could... they could control your movements."

Godwin looked at Arthur, who gently shook his head.

Then, the hammer smashed the Doppelgangers's first finger.

He screamed like a slaughtered pig.

"Listen, friend, you have ten fingers and ten toes.

"So you must think you can lie twenty times.

"But believe me, that won't work. I've seen many tough guys, and they usually don't last beyond three fingers.

"Let's be honest, friend. There are no Orcs at all, right?"

The Doppelgangers gasped rapidly and nodded.

Godwin reached out and gripped the broken finger, completely ignoring the other party's heart-wrenching screams.

"I'd rather hear you say it out loud."

"Yes, yes, yes, no Orcs, there were never any Orcs, damn it, ah—"

"Continue, what's the background of these bandits? How many people are there? What do you want to do?"

"The Stag Family," the Doppelgangers replied, "They are a group of mercenaries hired by the Stag Family.

"I don't know what they want to do, I swear, I'm just a messenger."

"Those damn savages, those deer-f***ing bastards, sons of bitches!"

Upon hearing this news, Dylan was furious, a string of curses spilling out.

He quickly stepped forward and slapped the Doppelgangers hard, "Why did you disguise the scene as if Orcs did it?"

"To... to scare the patrol team of Old Wheeltown.

"That way, their encirclement would be hasty.

"And as soon as things involve Orcs, the lords in the city become extra cautious and careful.

"This can affect their judgment and slow down their decisions."

"Gods above," the Family Knight exclaimed, "What in the world do you bastards want to do?"

"They want to distract us," Arthur said, standing up, "to cover up another conspiracy in the city. And you..."

He pointed at the Doppelgangers, "You're no mere messenger; you're here to kill me."

These words greatly surprised Dylan.

He grabbed the Doppelgangers's hair and demanded, "Is this true? Huh?"

"No, no, no! I really am just..."

Before the Doppelgangers could finish his defense, Arthur gave Godwin a look.

The hammer fell again, this time smashing his middle finger.

"Again," Arthur said coldly.

The ring finger also shattered under the hammer's heavy blow, and screams echoed once more.

"That one was for wasting my time," Arthur said, "Now, I ask you one question, and you answer one.

"Otherwise, I'll leave you to them.

"Until you want to tell the truth, understood?"

"Under... understood."

"First question, why did you kill Jason's family?"

"Someone among them saw something they shouldn't have."

"Explain yourself!" Dylan gave him another slap.

"The child's father, he... he couldn't sleep at night, got up, and wandered around the village.

"He saw... he saw Farda's kid, along with bandits, kill the Sheriff of Red Maple Village."

"Farda?" Arthur looked at Godwin.

"The Farda Family, founders of Red Maple Village, and also the village's administrators," Godwin explained.

Arthur nodded, analyzing, "That makes sense.

"The Farda Family colluded with bandits, I guess they wanted to ambush us in Red Maple Village, right?"

The Doppelgangers nodded, "Yes... yes, after you arrive at Red Maple Village.

"The Farda Family would poison your food.

"Once the poison took effect, they would coordinate with the bandits, inside and out, to eliminate you."

"You're lying, you son of a bitch," Dylan raged, "I know Donatello Farda.

"That old scoundrel is a coward, where would he get the guts to plot a rebellion!"

Fearing another lost finger, the Doppelgangers quickly argued, "Everything I said is true!

"Donatello Farda wouldn't dare, but his son would!

"That kid gathered local thugs from nearby villages, and they're hidden in the tanning camp outside the village.

"Once the bandits rush into the village, they'll join in.

"Both groups originally planned to meet at the camp at night.

"But you... you didn't go to Red Maple Village. So this plan... this plan fell through."

"For earth mother's sake, Young Master, you were right," Dylan stood up and looked at Arthur, "If it weren't for you, we would have..."

Arthur raised a hand to interrupt the knight, instructing, "Airo, go check out that tanning camp."

"I'll have the scouts go with you," Dylan said, quickly catching up to Airo.

"Have Madam Kadan arrange a guide; the mountain people are familiar with the terrain and can help," Godwin reminded him.

The Doppelgangers spoke again, "I was just here to make sure you went to Red Maple Village."

"No, you weren't," Arthur sneered, shaking his head, "Godwin, please."

Amidst the Doppelgangers's desperate pleas, his pinky finger was also smashed by the hammer.

Once the wailing subsided, Arthur said, "Even a stray dog by the roadside knows we're going to Red Maple Village; there's no need for them to go to such lengths.

"You infiltrated to seize an opportunity to kill me and create chaos.

"After all, you Doppelgangerss are best at assassination, poisoning, and framing. Tell me, how many of you are there?"

"Twenty-three," the Doppelgangers quickly replied, "All are seasoned mercenaries who've licked blood from blades, led by a guy named Kai."

Dylan, who had just walked into the room, heard this and frowned in annoyance: "Young Master, the reconnaissance team has already departed."

"Good. Last question, how much do you know about the recent events in the city?"

The Doppelgangers shook his head: "I swear to the Gods, I don't know. I'm only responsible for matters on the Stag Family's side."

"Oh? So, other families are involved?"

Godwin seized on the loophole in his words.

The Doppelgangers's eyes suddenly widened.

Then he confessed with a face full of despair: "Yes, the Falcon Family and the Greyhound Family are leading the plan in the city."

"Damn it, so we're fighting three hostile families at once," Dylan said.

Arthur had already expected this: "Don't be so surprised, old man, this is nothing new."